A college degree is becoming more and more popular as time goes on. In fact, some experts on the job market and the economy say that having a bachelor’s degree today is the equivalent of having a high school diploma 30 years ago. This is troublesome for many students today because as a college degree becomes more and more necessary, tuition prices have been increasing at an exponential rate.
All of this means that college has become more and more unaffordable in recent years. It used to be that a student could work their way through school with a part-time job and come out with minimal debt. Today, the average student graduates from college with just under $30,000 in student loans. This is just the average. Some students have huge bills when it comes to their student loans that make them nearly impossible to pay off and live a normal life.
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Luckily, there is a bevy of different options available to those that are looking for ways to finance their education. You can start with federal grants and loans acquired through the government. These are to be applied for every via the Free Application for Federal Student Aide (FAFSA). This is due every year on February 15th. This application is critical both because it helps you get federal loans and helps keep you eligible for other loans and scholarships.
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1. Alois and Marie Goldmann Memorial Fund Scholarship
This award was created in honor of George and Mary Freund to memorialize his maternal grandparents who were murdered at Auschwitz. The award is available to a graduating senior who has a been a resident of Idaho for at least one year. Students must attend college in Idaho. Students must complete the application and write a sourced essay on a particular aspect of the Holocaust. The amount awarded varies from year to year based on available funding.
You can learn more about the Alois and Marie Goldmann Memorial Fund Scholarship here.
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2. Idaho Governor’s Cup Scholarship
The Idaho Governor’s Cup Scholarship is handed out to 25 high school students each year. They are valued at $3,000 per award. It is available to Idaho high school seniors looking to attend college in the state of Idaho. Applicants must provide their SAT/ACT scores and have had at least a 2.8 GPS in high school to qualify. The scholarship is renewable for four years. Three years if the student is going to a technical school.
You can learn more about the Idaho Governor’s Cup Scholarship here.
3. Community Council of Idaho, Inc. Scholarship Fund
This award is given to 9 students each year and is worth $1,000 per award. It is only available to high school students in Idaho that are pursuing a post-secondary education at an Idaho institute of higher learning. In order to qualify, students must have had at least a 2.5 GPA in high school. The deadline for application is April 15, 2017.
You can learn more about the Community Council of Idaho, Inc. Scholarship Fund here.
4. Presidential Scholarship
This scholarship is a merit-based scholarship that is offered to students at Boise State University. To qualify for the scholarship students from the state of Idaho must have scored at least a 3.9 GPA in high school. They must also have scored a 19 on the ACT and 1240 on the SAT. The scholarship is valued at $5,000 per year and is renewable for up to 4 semesters. To be eligible students must complete their FAFSA and turn it in by February 15th.
You can learn more about the Presidential Scholarship here.
5. Dean’s Scholarship
Another scholarship offered to those that are attending Boise State University. This is a merit-based scholarship. To be eligible students must turn in their FAFSA by February 15th. They must also have had at least a GPA of 3.85 in high school. To receive this award students must have an ACT score of 27 and an SAT of 1210. The award is worth $3,000 annually and can be renewed for four semesters.
You can learn more about the Dean’s Scholarship here.
6. True Blue Promise
This is a merit-based scholarship offered to students attending Boise State University. It is worth $2,000 per year and can be renewed for all four years that a student attends Boise State. Students must turn in FAFSA by February 15th to be eligible for this scholarship. To be eligible, they must also have scored at 25 on the ACT or and 1130 on the SAT. A 3.3 GPA in high school is also necessary to receive this award.
You can learn more about the True Blue Promise here.
7. Idaho Opportunity Scholarship
This scholarship is offered through the Idaho Board of Education. Students from Idaho who have at least a 3.0 GPA in high school qualify for this scholarship. They must also fill out both an Idaho Board of Education scholarship application and the FAFSA by March 1st. Students also can only qualify for this scholarship if they are pursuing their first bachelor’s degree. A renewal application must be filed annually. The amount is given changes from person to person based on need.
You can learn more about the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship here.
8. Gear Up Scholarship
The Gear Up Idaho scholarship is provided by the Idaho Board of Education. It is need based, and the amount varies from person to person. The maximum amount given cannot exceed the amount of a Pell Grant. Students must be going for their first undergraduate degree, be a resident of Idaho, and be under the age of 22. They must apply for this scholarship the same year that they graduate high school. Students must also file their FAFSA by February 15th in order to be eligible.
You can learn more about the Gear Up scholarship here.
9. Tschudy Family Scholarship
This scholarship is offered through the Idaho Board of Education. It is only available to students that are residents of Idaho and have graduated from Emmett High School in Idaho. The scholarship has a value of $2,500 and is renewable for up to 5 years of undergraduate education and two years of post-graduate study. It is based on both financial need and academic merit. To be eligible students must submit both a scholarship application and their FAFSA by February 15th. They must also have at least a 2.6 GPA.
You can learn more about the Tschudy Family Scholarship here.
10. Armed Forces/ Public Safety Office Dependent Scholarship
This scholarship is available only to those that are spouses or children of armed forces personnel or public safety officers that are residents of Idaho. The scholarship has no deadline and has year-round open enrollment. It awards students with a waiver of fees and $500 each year towards books or living expenses and coverage of on-campus housing. It is only available to students that are attending a public university, college, or technical school in the state of Idaho.
11. Wells Fargo Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship is offered to students at the College of Western Idaho. To qualify, the student must demonstrate financial need. They also must have at least a GPA of 2.0 to be eligible. The deadline for application is June 11. Students must also file their FAFSA by February 15th in order to get the scholarship. The maximum amount of the award is $1,000.
You can learn more about the Wells Fargo Foundation Scholarship here.
12. BYU New Freshman Scholarship Full Tuition 8 Semesters
Brigham Young University in Idaho offers New Freshman Scholarships to its incoming Freshman students. The scholarships are based on merit. To receive full tuition for all eight semesters at the school, the student must score at least a 35 on the ACT or 1560 on the SAT. They must also have a GPA of at least 3.9. A higher GPA will help if test scores are a bit lower and vice versa. Applications for this scholarship must be turned in by February 1st.
You can learn more about the BYU New Freshman Scholarship Full Tuition 8 Semesters here.
13. BYU New Freshman Scholarship
Brigham Young University in Idaho’s New Freshman Scholarship program also offers a full tuition award for two semesters of study. This is also a merit-based scholarship. Applications for the Fall semester must be turned into admissions by February 1st. To qualify for this award, students must have a GPA of at least 2.6 and test scores of 33 on the ACT and 1460 on the SAT. Higher GPA can offset a lower test score, but those are the minimums.
You can learn more about the BYU New Freshman Scholarship here.
14. BYU New Freshman Scholarship
This is another scholarship offered to BYU-Idaho freshman students that are new to the school. This scholarship is available based on academic merit to students that are entering the freshman year at BYU-Idaho. The minimum test scores to qualify for this award are a 31 on the ACT and 1360 on the SAT. The student must also have a GPA of at least 3.4 to qualify this award. The application for a New Freshman Scholarship must be turned in by February 1st in order to be eligible for the fall semester.
You can learn more about the BYU New Freshman Scholarship here.
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16. Leon Bradley Scholarship
This scholarship was founded in order to encourage minority students to pursue an education in the field of education. The application must be turned in by May 29th to qualify. 4 of these awards are given out each year, and they range in value from $1,500 to $2,500. The top award of $2,500 is given during the final year of a student’s study and includes their student teaching The award has no minimum requirements but is based on academic merit and financial need.
You can learn more about the Leon Bradley Scholarship here.
17. NIADA Foundation Regional Scholarship
This scholarship is given to high school seniors that are wishing to study education. There are five regions and students from Idaho will apply in region 4. The application deadline is March 18th. The award is a yearly award worth $3,500. One senior applicant from each region will be chosen for the award. There are no minimum requirements, but the academic achievement does way heavily on the decision.
You can learn more about the NIADA Foundation Regional Scholarship here.
18. Pride Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship is given to students from the states of Idaho, Washington, Montana, Oregon, or Alaska. It is an award that is given to high school seniors in one of these states that are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, or have a strong record as a straight ally. The award has a value of $10,000. All applicants must submit a 250-500 word essay about social justice. They also must have demonstrated some action in social justice in their community, especially as it relates to the LGBT community. There are not minimum academic requirements for this scholarship. All applications must be turned in by January 11th.
You can learn more about the Pride Foundation Scholarship here.
19. ASTA Pacific Northwest Chapter
William Hunt Professional Development Scholarship – This scholarship is only available to students in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and Montana. The award is worth $1,000, and the application must be turned in by November 3, 2016. The scholarship is geared towards high school students from these states that are looking to study in the tourism industry while having at least two years of experience in the travel industry.
You can learn more about the ASTA Pacific Northwest Chapter here.
20. Henry and Joyce W. Summit Scholarship
This scholarship is available to students that are residents of Idaho and other states in the Pacific region of the United States. The award has a value of $5,000 per year and is renewable. Is geared towards high school students who are looking to study the arts in college. The application must be turned on April 30, 2017, for the student to qualify. Students must have a GPA of at least 3.0 and write a 500-word essay on why they deserve the scholarship with their application to be eligible. They must also submit three letters of recommendation.
You can learn more about the Henry and Joyce W. Summit Scholarship here.
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22. MGMA Western Scholarships
This scholarship is available only to students in the western region of the United States that are pursuing a degree that is in some way related to the medical practice management. 1 of these awards if given each year. The application is due by May 1, 2017, to be eligible for the next award. It is available to both undergraduate and graduate students in medical practice management. The award is based on academic merit, but there are no minimum requirements.
You can learn more about the MGMA Western Scholarships here.
23. Army ROTC Green and Gold Scholarship
This scholarship is available to U.S. citizens that are under the age of 31 that have been accepted into a ROTC program. The individual must have served a minimum of two years of active duty. To be eligible, the student must have an ACT score of at least 19 and an SAT score of at least 920. The scholarship covers full tuition and room and board for the student. It also provides money for textbooks and other expenses. The deadline for application is February 1, 2017.
You can learn more about the Army ROTC Green and Gold Scholarship here.
24. Korean American Scholarship Foundation
This foundation is regional, and Idaho falls in the western region. The scholarship is available to students of Korean decent. The status of their citizenship does not have any weight on whether or not they are eligible for the scholarship. The award is based on academic merit and financial need. The minimum GPA to qualify is a 3.0. The amount given varies based on need and the application deadline is July 8, 2016.
You can learn more about the Korean American Scholarship Foundation here.
25. Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation Scholarship Program
This scholarship is available 2nd, 3rd, or 4th-year osteopathic medicine students. Only students that reside in the Pacific Northwest are eligible for the award. The deadline to apply for the award is May 30, 2017. The award varies from student to student as is intended to help defray some of the cost of their medical school. The award is non-renewable and lasts for one year.
You can learn more about the Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation Scholarship Program here.
26. Presbyterian Student Opportunity Scholarship
This award is given to 80 students each year. It is given to sophomore, junior, and senior students in accredited colleges. The award is worth up to $2,000 and is based on financial need. Application for the award must be turned in by May 15, 2017. The minimum GPA to qualify is 2.5, and the student must be a member of the Presbyterian church. Only students that are pursuing a bachelor’s degree can qualify for this program. They must also be enrolled at an accredited university.
You can learn more about the Presbyterian Student Opportunity Scholarship here.
27. Eugene H. Magleby Scholarship
Idaho State gives this scholarship to one student each year that is seeking a degree in science or engineering. The student must be an Idaho resident to be eligible. The award is based on financial need. Undergraduate students who get the award must have at least a 2.5 GPA. Postgraduates must score at least a 3.0 GPA. They must also file their FAFSA by February 15th.
You can learn more about the Eugene H. Magleby Scholarship here.
28. Jayson C. and Ruth R. Holladay Scholarship
This is a need-based scholarship that is available to just juniors and seniors in the college of Arts and Letters at Idaho State University. The amount of the scholarship varies based on need and to be eligible, the student must turn in their FAFSA by February 15th. The student must also have at least a 3.0 GPA and be an Idaho resident. This scholarship is open to any student in the College of Arts and Sciences. The amount varies from year to year.
You can learn more about the Jayson C. and Ruth R. Holladay Scholarship here.
29. National Society of Accountant Scholarship
This award is available to students at Idaho State who are sophomores, juniors, or seniors and are in the Accounting school. It is a need-based scholarship. Students who are seeking the award must also maintain a GPA of at least 3.0. The award is also given based on the display of leadership and personal circumstances. The student must fill out and turn in FAFSA by February 15th to be eligible.
You can learn more about the National Society of Accountant Scholarship here.
30. In-State Transfer Student Scholarship
Scholarship and Lewis & Clark University that is available to students transferring to the College. To qualify the student must be a new transfer at the school and be enrolled as a full-time student. The student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. They also must have at least 60 credit hours of study completed. The scholarship is worth $1,500 and is renewable for two years. Applications must be submitted by March 1st to be eligible for the Fall semester.
31. High School Leadership Scholarship
This is another scholarship offered through Lewis & Clark University in Idaho. The scholarship is designed to high school students that are Idaho residents that demonstrated good leadership qualities. The deadline for application is March 1. To be eligible, students must have a GPA of at least 2.5. Students must be full-time and live on campus. They also must have held some leadership position while in high school.
You can learn more about the High School Leadership Scholarship here.
32. Art Pattison Scholarship
This scholarship is available to students that residents of Idaho and are pursuing an education in the television industry. To be eligible, a student should have experience in working in television. Students with excellent academic records will have a higher consideration for the award. Letters of recommendation are also necessary to qualify for ht scholarship. It is valued at $2,000 and is non-renewable. The deadline for application is April 1st.
You can learn more about the Art Pattison Scholarship here.
33. Art Pattison Scholarship
This scholarship is designed for children of country employees in the state of Idaho. Students must have a parent work a county in Idaho for at least 20 hours a week. Students are chosen for the award based on their high school transcripts, community service, an essay; The amount varies based on need. The deadline for application to be considered is February 28th.
You can learn more about the Art Pattison Scholarship here.
34. INLA Scholarship
This is a scholarship is provided by the Idaho Nursery and Landscape Association. Students are studying a major in horticulture, or a plant related field is eligible for the award. Students must provide two letters of recommendation; one from a professional in their field and one from a professor in their field. Students must also write an essay. The award is worth $750, and at least one is given each year. The deadline for application is November 1.
You can learn more about the INLA Scholarship here.
35. ISBA Wayne D. Cornell Memorial Scholarship
This award is given by the Idaho State Broadcasters Association. It is designed for students that are pursuing studies in broadcasting and have earned at least a 2.5 GPA in their first two years in school. The award is only available to students that resident of Idaho and is attending school in the state of Idaho. The amount given varies each year based on need. The deadline for application is March 15th.
You can learn more about the ISBA Wayne D. Cornell Memorial Scholarship here.
We’ve worked hard to include a variety of scholarship opportunities within our list. If you have any suggestions on additional scholarships, please feel free to leave them in the comments section.